US dressage rider loses horses in a barn fire

Two top-class dressage horses were among 18 horses that were killed in a barn fire in Georgia, USA, on Friday (31 January).

Kirsten Becker, 24, an American dressage rider currently winning medals at under-25 level, lost all four of her horses in the blaze, including rising grand prix star Ramses and her retired schoolmaster Frankentraum.

Despite her devastation, she reported that the “care was exceptional at this facility”.

Only one horse from this barn managed to escape from the flames, but was later euthanased due to the extent of his injuries.

Other barns on the same property — Brookwood Equestrian Center, Oconee County — were unaffected. Fire crews were alerted to the blaze, which was caused by an electrical fault, at 1.30am. By the time fire personnel arrived, the barn was completely engulfed in flames.

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